Ameren Helping Save Farmers’ Equipment From Flood Waters

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ST. CHARLES, MO (KTVI)-- High water along the Mississippi has farmers looking for higher ground. The Mississippi River has, at least for the time being, stopped rising near west Alton.

The river leveled off Wednesday about 2-3 feet below the top of a levee which protects thousands of acres of farmland.

The original crest forecast called for the river to top this levee and flood much of northern St. Charles County.

That would have threatened more than just farmland, it would have left farmers scampering to find somewhere to put their expensive tractors, combines and other equipment.

That's where the folks at Ameren Missouri enter the story.

Ameren's Sioux Energy Center is located nearby on some of the highest land in the area.

As part of a strong partnership with the local community, Ameren has opened their doors, offering up valuable high ground to local farmers who need to get millions of dollars of farm equipment out of harm’s way.

Even with the levees holding back the river, the fields remain too wet to work. A machine tells me at this point last year they had all their corn planted. This year, not a single seed has been put down. Hard to believe after last year's drought, we're all praying for drier weather.